The Premier League began in 1992 and in the 31 years since its inception there have been some spectacular collapses. Here we will list some of the biggest.
5 – Arsenal – 2002/03 8 points
Manchester United and Arsenal battled it out throughout the early 2000s for the Premier League title and Arsene Wenger’s side surrendered an eight-point lead to their rivals in 2002/03.
The Gunners won just four of their last nine matches while Sir Alex Ferguson’s side cruised through the end of the season to eventually finish five points clear.
4 – Manchester United – 2011/12 8 points
Manchester City’s first Premier League title was arguably the most dramatic in the competition’s history as their rivals United let an eight-point lead slip.
A 1-0 defeat to Wigan in April saw the Red Devils pegged back before a dramatic 4-4 draw against Everton handed the initiative to Manchester City, which they capitalised on by beating their rivals 1-0 at the Etihad.
A dramatic final day saw Manchester United beat Sunderland in vain as Roberto Mancini’s men came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 in the last minute, with Sergio Aguero scoring one of the most famous goals in Premier League history.
3 – Liverpool – 2018/19 9 points
In a list of unluckiest losers of the Premier League, the 2018/19 Liverpool side would be near the top.
The Reds lost 2-1 away to Manchester City in January and Pep Guardiola’s side clawed back the nine-point gap to take the title.
Jurgen Klopp’s side managed a points tally of 97, which has only been beaten by three teams ever but fell a point short of their rivals.
2 – Manchester United – 1997/98 11 points
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United are synonymous with being a winning machine but the Red Devils let an 11-point lead slip in the spring of 1998 as Arsenal wore them down.
The Gunners’ three games in hand were used to great effect as they won their last eight matches of the season, which included a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in March with Marc Overmars firing them to success.
The title was the first of Arsene Wenger’s three as Arsenal manager.
1 – Newcastle – 1995/96 12 points
Newcastle were 12 points clear at the top of the table at Christmas but Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United chased them down thanks to a spectacular collapse from Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers.
The Magpies lost five of their eight games in March, with a 4-3 loss at Anfield perhaps the most iconic moment of the downward spiral, with Stan Collymore’s dramatic winner seeing Keegan slump over the advertising boardings.
The run-in also saw the pressure mount on the two managers with the Newcastle boss producing the infamous “I would love it if we beat them“ speech, all in vain as the Red Devils took home the title.
